Calls to action on cost saving for rate rise

Gunnedah shire’s elected representatives are seeking to fast-track cost-saving measures as a second round of community consultation continues on a new rate rise proposal.

Councillors earlier this month agreed to a revised permanent Special Rate Variation over two years that is 37.67 per cent cumulative but capped for residential, business and farmland rate categories at 15 per year (32.25 per cent cumulative).

Council’s agreed position is now subject to further community feedback and subsequent approval by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

During last week’s council meeting, councillors proposed a series of actions designed to increase efficiencies and increase transparency at council ahead of a possible rate increase.

Deputy mayor Kate McGrath called for continued investigation of options with regard to “freezing or limiting increases in sewerage, domestic waste and water charges as mentioned by staff during consultation to assist in offsetting total rates and charges increases during implementation of the resolved Special Rate Variation in the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years, should it be approved by IPART”.

The deputy mayor also requested that a report be brought back to the December council meeting with estimated impact of options.

“This ensures it remains in ongoing discussion and shows we’ve not forgotten about further efficiencies,” Cr McGrath said.

Councillor Juliana McArthur sought assurances that extra attention would be dedicated to the Gunnedah shire’s road network.

Cr McArthur called for “additional revenue generated by the special rate variation …. where it is not needed to support the unrestricted cash position, be an internally restricted asset in the period FY2025-FY2027 inclusive and allocated to … the maintenance, renewal and rehabilitation of sealed and unsealed roads; renewal of other transport infrastructure including bridges, culverts, causeways, stormwater drainage, footpaths and cycleways; renewal of parks, gardens and open space infrastructure; and the renewal of buildings and other community assets”.

It was also requested project timelines, costs and completion of works be published through the media.

Meanwhile, councillor Robert Hoddle requested council establish a ‘Rural Roads Working Group’ to assist communication between rural ratepayers and council.

He suggested the working group membership consist of two councillors, a rural ratepayer representative from each of the shire localities – including Tambar Springs, Emerald Hill, Mullaley, Curlewis, Breeza, Carroll and Kelvin – as well as relevant council staff.

Councillors voted and agreed to nominate Cr Hoddle and Hooke as working group members with Cr Ann Luke as the alternate should the others not be available.

Cr Hoddle said the idea was originally put forward by the village communities which are “frustrated” by a sense of “disconnect” between ratepayers and their shire council.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s director of infrastructure services, Jeremy Bartlett, said if the intent was for improved communication, that could be achieved through the working group. But he reminded those present the group would be unable to influence council’s operational matters.

Cr Hoddle also presented a separate matter related to cost savings at council. This motion called for a report be delivered at council’s March 2025 meeting which details the “potential areas” for cost savings and efficiency gains.

The call to action follows Gunnedah council’s earlier agreement that it would “strive to achieve” almost $1 million in funds over a three-year period until 2028, in addition to the proposed permanent rate increase.

“I think (the $930,000 in savings) is achievable but we need to document it,” Cr Hoddle said.

Council’s general manager Eric Groth clarified this 2025 report would be only preliminary in nature.

“All we can do is bring a report about potential savings,” he said.

The general manager highlighted the actual progress report on cost savings would be produced the following year in May 2026, once a determination on the rate rise has been ratified.